Overview

The Faculty Mentors Network is a multi-faceted program designed to support full-time faculty in the College of Health, the College of Communication, Information and Media, and the College of Sciences and Humanities at all career stages – whether new, mid-career, or senior – by fostering professional growth and a sense of community. Instrumental and social support is provided via interdepartmental mentoring, new hire mentoring, and mutual mentoring groups.

 

Pilot Interdepartmental Mentors

Reuben Allen

Title: Teaching Professor
Department: Geography
#1 Product Hack: Exercise beforehand (preferably early afternoon). I wind up being much more productive than during the morning session of work.
Favorite Hobbies: Playing sports: basketball, softball, flag football, plyometrics
Contact

Bob Berrington

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Physics and Astronomy
#1 Product Hack: Define a research time and stick to it.
Favorite Hobbies: Running, biking, hiking, backpacking, soccer, skiing (downhill, Nordic, etc.), photography, canoeing
Contact

Jennifer Erickson

Title: Professor
Department: Anthropology
#1 Product Hack: Lists. Lots and lots of lists. Clear, feasible writing goals. Prioritize tasks - know what is important and what can wait.
Favorite Hobbies: Hiking, walking, running with my dog, child, and partner; cooking; travel - local to global; time with family and friends; working on my house and yard
Contact

Molly Ferguson

Title: Associate Professor
Department: English
#1 Product Hack: Break things down into teeny tiny pieces. I do this with both time (half-hour blocks) and projects. The smaller the task, the less likely I am to get anxious and overwhelmed—and it feels great to check something off the list!
Favorite Hobbies: Making lists, exploring fun new places to go - either locally or via travel, walking my dog, watching an iPad on my bed with snacks
Contact

Silas Hansen

Title: Associate Professor
Department: English
#1 Product Hack: Have designated space for different tasks. I only grade in my office, which means that if I am at my table or the coffee shop, I need to be writing. It helps my brain stay focused on one thing!
Favorite Hobbies: Golf, cooking, karaoke, reading, baking, cards (poker & euchre)
Contact

Kevin Harrelson

Title: Professor
Department: Philosophy
Contact

Emil Khisamutdinov

Title: Associate Professor
Department: Chemistry
#1 Product Hack: Travel to present data at conferences, meetings, seminars, and meet with scientists for potential collaborations to advance ongoing projects and promote new opportunities.
Favorite Hobby: Gardening, nature walking, and fishing
Contact

Dave Largent

Title: Senior Lecturer
Department: Computer Science
#1 Product Hack: Make a to-do list and schedule and stick to it. I fail at this on a regular basis, but when I do it, things work out great.
Favorite Hobby: Speed walking
Contact

John McKillip

Title: Professor
Department: Biology
#1 Product Hack: Break down a large assignment or task into smaller bites, a little completed each day, to make the job more digestible.
Favorite Hobbies: Spending time outside with my son and staying active with the Buick Club of America (BCA)
Contact

Jennifer Metzler

Title: Teaching Professor
Department: Biology
#1 Product Hack: Answer email only at certain times during the day.
Favorite Hobbies: Reading, watching documentaries, spending time with my family and friends, and attending my kids' athletic events
Contact

Debbie Mix

Title: Professor
Department: English
#1 Product Hack: Do a little bit on the project (article, grading, whatever) every day. Even just 15 minutes keeps things moving and, when it's going well, you can always do more. But, when it's going poorly, you've done something at least.
Favorite Hobby: Yoga - I try to practice at least a little bit (see above!) every day and I teach a weekly class.
Contact

Sundeep Rayat

Title: Professor
Department: Chemistry
#1 Product Hack: Make a to-do list. Work on simple things first and save time-consuming, hard things for later.
Favorite Hobbies: Photography and astronomy
Contact

Christine Shea

Title: Professor
Department: Modern Languages and Classics
#1 Product Hack: Walking, walking, and walking. I find new ideas readily come to mind on the streets of Muncie and on our lovely, sylvan campus.
Favorite Hobbies: Bridge and endless junk reading
Contact

Kim Taylor

Title: Senior Lecturer
Department: Psychological Science
#1 Product Hack: Take short break breaks and put your phone in another room.
Favorite Hobbies: Gardening, cooking, traveling, Facebook Marketplace, fishing, spending time with my family
Contact

Often, mentoring programs focus on new hires and/or early career faculty. However, many faculty desire mentoring throughout their entire career (e.g., tenure-line promotion after earning tenure; shifting career identities).

Mentees should complete this application. Mentees are eligible for $100 in RIA funding for participating in the program during the 2025/26 academic year. Spaces are limited.

Interested interdepartmental mentors should complete this application. Mentors are eligible for $250 in RIA funds for their contribution to the Faculty Mentors Network during the 2025/26 academic year.

The College of Sciences & Humanities, College of Health, and College of Communication, Information, and Media, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs are excited to announce an opportunity for faculty members to design and lead Mutual Mentoring Groups during the 2025-2026 academic year focused on promoting faculty well-being and advancing career development.

We are seeking proposals from CSH, CoH, and CCIM faculty that

  • focus on peer mentoring related to a shared interest or issue to nurture faculty well-being and/or career development.
  • emphasize learning, engagement in meaningful interactions, and mutual support to enhance networking and collaboration across departments.

We are seeking proposals that promote faculty career development and personal well-being related to one of the following topics:

  • Academic Leadership Development and/or Exploration
  • Resources for and/or community-building among non-tenure line and/or clinical/practice-oriented faculty
  • Teaching large classes

For details about program and required application materials, view the Mutual Mentoring Group Application Information. Applications are due by Tuesday, April 15, 2025.

This Mentorship Agreement can be used as a conversation starter for mentors/mentees to help establish the goals and expectations of the partnership.

Ball State is committed to helping all new hires with their transition to the university. As stated in the Faculty and Professional Personnel Handbook, department chairs match all new hire, full-time faculty with a mentor within their department. 

Other resources for new faculty, including the New Faculty Academy and New Faculty Orientation, can be viewed here.